Man convicted of operating construction scheme while incarcerated

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A Weld County jury convicted a man on Wednesday of operating a pole-barn building scam while he was serving a work-release sentence in Larimer County.

Arthur John Radebaugh, 39, was incarcerated in a community corrections program in 2011 when he was doing business through BNA Agri Consulting, according to a news release from the Weld District Attorney’s Office. Although he wasn’t allowed to run a business while serving his sentence, Radebaugh contracted with residents, including senior citizens, to build pole barns.

He failed to get building permits, inflated prices, failed to deliver materials and left unfinished construction sites from January through September of 2011, according to the release.

The release states that the jury convicted Radebaugh of defrauding clients of more than $16,000. He was found guilty of four felony and three misdemeanor charges: one count of theft of $500 or more from an at-risk adult, three counts of theft — $1,000-$20,000­, two counts of theft — $500-$1,000 and one count of theft less than $500, according to the release.

Because of Radebaugh’s criminal history, District Attorney Ken Buck is seeking to have him classified as a habitual criminal. That designation would substantially increase the length of each possible sentence.